Snow plow



May 9. 1967 I WNEAL 3,318,027

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United States Patent 3,318,027 SNOW PLOW Arthur McNeal, 401 1st Ave. S., St. James, Minn. 56081 Filed Apr. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 357,067 2 Claims. (Cl. 3743) This invention relates generally to a snow plow and more particularly to a rotary blade snow plow having a novel arrangement and configuration of parts.

One of the primary problems associated with the rotary blade snow plows is that of the snow clogging the blowers. This difficulty results in stoppage of the mechanism requiring the operator to remove the lodged snow.

Another problem associated with prior known snow plows is that of the blades cont-acting ice and hard snow. Such prior machines include blade structures for moving the snow through the machine rather than for cutting ice and hard snow. As a result, when hard snow and ice are encountered, the machine may become damaged or will not function properly. The configurations of prior feeder blades was the primary factor in producing these problems. That is, prior blade designs and configurations would not accomplish both functions of cutting hard and blower blades for removing snow quickly and easily.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a rotary blade snow plow with transmission means attachable to either the front or back of a power vehicle.

These and other objects of the present invention will be more fully realized and understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the invention showing the attachment thereof to the back of a power vehicle;

FIGURE 2 is a back view of the invention with the power coupling removed;

FIGURE 3 is a front view of the invention; and

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 44 of FIGURE 3.

Like reference numerals throughout the various views of the drawings are intended to designate the same or similar structures.

With particular reference to FIGURE 1, there is shown the snow plow of the present invention, generally designated with the reference numeral 10, and the coupling and drive means, generally designated with the reference numeral 12, connected to a power vehicle 14. Braces 16 and 18 extending from the power vehicle to support the snow plow at a lower point thereon. A pair of brackets 20 are secured to the snow plow for receiving an end of brace 16. Holes 22 are provided in bracket 20 and are disposed for alignment with a hole in the end of brace 16. Each of holes 22 provide a different height adjustment to the snow plow. A pin is used to secure brace 16 to the desired hole in bracket 20.

The coupling structures further include an upper arm 24 pivotally connected to a bracket 26 of the snow plow and including a threaded end 28. A threaded arm 30 extends from a bracket 32 on the power vehicles and is pivotally securedthereto. A turnbuckle 34 engages the hers.

3,318,027 Patented May 9, 1967 threaded end 28 and arm 30 for providing pivotal adjustment to the snow plow.

The coupling structures also include power takeoff means 36. The power takeoff includes a drive shaft 38 extending from the power source (not shown) of vehicle 14 and a coupling shaft 40. A pair of U-joints 42 and 44 connect the coupling shaft with the drive shaft and with the transmission of the snow plow.

A brace 46 extends from bracket 20 to the bottom of the snow plow for supporting the bottom structures thereof. The snow plow includes a chain drive housing 48, a transmission housing 50, a blower housing 52, an exhaust deflector 54, and a blade housing 56. Runners 58 are provided along the bottom of housings 52 and 56 for engaginga roadbed.

The coupling and support structures are also illustrated in FIGURE 2, wherein bolts 60 are shown as coupling braces 16 to brackets 20. The structural support for the snow plow is better illustrated in FIGURE 2, wherein brackets 20 are mounted on an angle member 62 which is supported by braces 46 which may also be angle mem- Braces 46 are supported on an angle 64 extending across the bottom of the snow plow frame. Angle 62 is supported at its ends by angle members 66 which extend to the blower housing. Housing 48 is supported on angle member 62. Plates 68 secured to the back of housing 56 support. in orthogonal relationship plates 70 thereon. Plates 70 are secured to the top of housings 52 by welding for support thereof. Angles 72 extend between housing 48, housing 50, and housing 52 for additional support therebetween. The housings are secured to one another by welding or other suitable fastening means at their points of intersection. Deflector 54, however, is removable and slidably disposed on a chute 74 for blowing the snow in the desired direction.

A coupling hub 76 is connected to universal joint 44 and includes a plurality of shear pins 78 therein. A shaft 80 extends from hub 76 through housing 50, between housings 52 and into housing 56. A gear housing 82 is disposed within housing 56 and bearingly supports shaft 80 in a front wall thereof. Shaft 80 is also supported by bearings 84 and 86. A gear 88 is keyed to shaft 80 within the transmission housing. A sprocket wheel 90 is secured to shaft 80 within housing 82.

A second shaft 92 is supported by bearings 94, 96, and 98. A gear is secured to shaft 92 in the transmission housing and a sprocket 102 is secured thereto in housing 82. This arrangement of elements provides rotational movement at the front of the plow by means of two synchronized shafts 90 and 92.

Secured to shaft 80 in housing 48 is a sprocket 104 and to shaft 92 is a sprocket 106. A pair of shafts 108 and 110 are supported by respective bearing members 112. A sprocket 114 is secured to shaft 108 and a sprocket 116 is secured to shaft 110. A chain 118 is disposed between sprockets 104 and 114, and another chain 120 is disposed between sprockets 106 and 116. This arrangement of elements provides rotational movement within housing 52 by means of a pair of shafts synchronizing with one another and with shafts 80 and 82.

The power connection shown in FIGURE 4 is that for driving in one direction of the snow plow. When the snow plow is connected to the other end of the vehicle for for disposed on sprockets 90 and 102 respectively. A pair of spindles 134 are rigidly secured in members 136 at one end thereof. A sleeve 138 is disposed over spindle 134 and bearings 140 and 142 support the sleeve on the spindle. The sleeve extends through a front wall of housing 82 and seal 144 is provided therebetween for eliminating moisture therein. Secured to the extended end of sleeve 138 is a plate 146. Feeder blades 148 are secured to plate 146 by welding or other suitable means. At the other end of sleeve 138 is secured a sprocket 150. Chains 130 and 132 engage respective sprockets 150 for providing rotational movement to the feeder wheels.

Shaft 108 extends into housing 52 for supporting a respective blower wheel hub 152 thereon. The blower wheels include blades 154 secured to a hub.

The novel conofiguration of the feeder blades provides not only for efficient snow removal capabitities, but for cutting of hard snow and ice and subsequent removal thereof.

Blades 148 extend angularly from plates 146. That is, the blades have a predetermined pitch with respect to the plates. Blades 148 terminate in semi-cylindrical portions, the semi-cylindrical portion having its axis skew t the axis of blade rotation.

Housing 56 includes arcuate sections 174 for receiving the ends of blades 148 in their rotational movement. Housing 56 also includes a novel configuration in the lower section thereof. At each corner and at the center, housing 56 extends outwardly to provide a saw tooth shape for cutting of ice and hard snow.

That is, at those portions designated with the reference numeral 156, the structure is extended outwardly and at those portions designated with the reference numeral 158, the structure is recessed. This configuration cooperates with the feeder blades to cut up and remove hard snow and ice.

As shown in FIGURE 3, each feeder blade center is displaced from the respective blower wheel center. This allows for the incoming ice and snow to be transferred into the blower wheels at a point which facilitates easy removal thereof through the deflector. That is, if the feeder blades transferred the snow into that portion of the blower Wheels which was rotating downwardly the blower wheel would have to carry the snow around its entire periphery before discarding it to the deflector. With the present structure, however, the snow is transferred to the blower wheels at a point adjacent the deflector.

Because of the novel configuration and shape of the feeder blades the previously mentioned functions are easily and effectively accomplished. This configuration includes the blades being positioned at a predetermined pitch and extending from a center in one plane. The blades terminate in a semi-cylindrical shape which is a continuation of that portion of the blade which lies in one plane. This shape provides the cutting required for hard snow and ice and the effective removal thereof. Once the snow and ice is cut, it is rolled into the blower wheel by virtue of the blades pitch. This shape and configuration is supported by plate 146 at the center of each feeder wheel and by plates 160 extending from the center and across 4 the back of each blade. Ribs 162 are provided in the semi-cylindrical end portion of each blade.

In operation the paths of the feeder wheels intersect one another, however, because of synchronization provided by the transmission, the blades are out of phase with one another in their rotation. The feeder wheels rotate in the direction indicated by the arrows and the blower wheels preferably rotate in the same direction. The snow and ice which is funneled in by portions 156 is cut up by blades 148. The blades scoop the snow inwardly and transfer it to the blower wheels which force it upwardly into the deflectors for removal to a roads edge.

The principles of the invention explained in connection with the specific exemplification thereon will suggest many other applications and modifications of the same. It is accordingly desired that, in construing the breadth of the appended claims they shall not be limited to the specific details shown and described in connection with the exemplification thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A snow plow for connection to a vehicle power takeoff having two directions of rotation comprising a pair of feeder wheels, a pair of blower wheels each disposed in tandem with a respective one of said feeder wheels, means connected to the power take-off for rotating said feeder and said blower wheels in only one direction, and a deflector disposed in communication with said blower wheels, said feeder wheels each including a pair of blades extending from a center of a respective one of said feeder wheels in one plane and terminating in a semi-cylindrical portion, the axis of the semi-cylindrical portion being skew to the axis of blade rotation.

2. A snow plow for connection to a power take-off of a vehicle comprising a pair of feeder wheels, a pair of blower wheels each disposed in tandem with a respective one of said feeder wheels, the center of each of said wheels being spaced from one another, means connected to the power take-off for rotating said feeder wheels and said blower wheels in one direction, said means responsive to a rotation of the power take-off in either of two directions, and a deflector disposed in communication with said blower wheels, said feeder wheels each including a pair of blades, said blades each including a central portion and a semi-cylindrical end portion, the axis of the semi-cylindrical portion being skew to the axis of blade rotation.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,709,243 4/ 1929 Wolters 37-43 1,820,707 8/1931 Moen et al. 3743 2,118,851 5/ 1938 McCallum 37--43 2,462,588 2/ 1949 Wondra.

2,719,368 10/1955 Snook 3743 2,763,072 9/1956 Inhofer 37-43 2,815,590 12/1957 Fiacco 37-43 ANTONIO F. GUIDA, Acting Primary Examiner.

ABRAHAM G. STONE, Examiner.

R. L. HOLLISTER, Assistant Examiner, 

1. A SNOW PLOW FOR CONNECTION TO A VEHICLE POWER TAKEOFF HAVING TWO DIRECTIONS OF ROTATION COMPRISING A PAIR OF FEEDER WHEELS, A PAIR OF BLOWER WHEELS EACH DISPOSED IN TANDEM WITH A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID FEEDER WHEELS, MEANS CONNECTED TO THE POWER TAKE-OFF FOR ROTATING SAID FEEDER AND SAID BLOWER WHEELS IN ONLY ONE DIRECTION, AND A DEFLECTOR DISPOSED IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID BLOWER WHEELS, SAID FEEDER WHEELS EACH INCLUDING A PAIR OF BLADES EXTENDING FROM A CENTER OF A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID FEEDER WHEELS IN ONE PLANE AND TERMINATING IN A SEMI-CYLINDRICAL PORTION, THE AXIS OF THE SEMI-CYLINDRICAL PORTION BEING SKEW TO THE AXIS OF BLADE ROTATION. 